BUGLE BLASTS. 



BUGLE BLASTS, 



READ BEFORE THE 



Ohio Commandery 



/AIlfliCIRy ORJ)ER 



Loyal Legion of tk United States, 

BY COMPANION 

WILLIAM E, CRANE, 



Late Captain 4th O, V. C. and A. A. Adjt.-Gen. 



NOVEMBER 5, 1884. 



CINCINNATI: 

^'ETSJIJ, 0-. TI€03Vi:S01T, 

1SS4. 






IN EXCHANGE 

JAN 5 - 1915 



/r/^'^'^ 



BUGLE BLASTS. 



To one who occupied a very small space in the War of 
the Rebellion — one who filled but a modest position among 
those who sought to protect the Nation's honor and life — it 
is a matter of difficulty, if not hazard; to attempt to en- 
lighten, or even entertain, such a body as that to whom 
this paper is addressed. Certainly no attempt will be 
made, in this case, to enlighten. If any thing new is fur- 
nished that shall also prove interesting, the end will be 
subserved. There are those among us, members of 
Ohio Commandery, who contributed largely to the grand- 
eur, the magnificence, the glory of that army of the Union 
from which this Order sprang. There are those among us 
who made pages, aye, chapters, of histor}^ where great 
deeds are emphasized in blood ; deeds that " throbbed the 
Nation's lieart." And this histor}^ is not for a da}- ; not 
for our time alone. It will go on down the ages to be read 
by grand-children and their grand-children, who will 
point with pride to the illustrious achievements and say : 
"These were my ancestors who fought in that great war 
and did these glorious things!" What richer legac}' can 
3'ou hand down? This is fame! This is glory! And do 
not these come of honest ambition ? But there are inci- 
dents, episodes, deeds that come under the observation 
only of the few — sometimes of the individual — which, lit- 
tle in themselves and seemingly inconsequential, help to 
make up the grand story. It is an old, old story now, but 
the story has become history. A full and true history of 
the late war has never been written — never will be. But 

(3) 



— 4 — 

little links can be picked up — even as we pick up battered 
bullets on old battle-fields — and these ma}^ be welded to- 
gether to make a completer chain. And this is, perhaps, 
our dut}^, the duty of those who are permitted to enjoy the 
present. Let us also make it a pleasure. 

I call this paper " Bugle Blasts" simply because that 
seems as appropriate as anything. It refers to some inci- 
dents and experiences in the cavalry ; exciting and some- 
times thrilling to those engaged, if not interesting to him 
who hears the tale told. 

Late in the winter of '62, when the movement on Fort 
Donelson was begun, Buell began his movement on Bowl- 
ing Green. The Third Division had the advance and was 
commanded by General O. M. Mitchell, or " Star Mitchell " 
as he was called in those days. February loth Mitchell 
broke camp at Bacon Creek, Kentucky, made a forced 
march to Bowling Green, driving the rebel Hindman be- 
fore him, and on February 22d started for Nashville. The 
Fourth Ohio Cavalry, his advance regiment, was before 
Nashville on the evening of the 23d, and received from the 
Mayor the surrender of the city. The Third Division went 
into camp and the Fourth Ohio Cavalry was placed eight 
miles in the front, at the outposts, on the Murfreesboro 
pike. 

The cavalry of Buell's army had not received that at- 
tention requisite for the most efficient service, and the 
Fourth Ohio was no exception. There were no carbines 
in the regiment — only sabers and some unreliable revolv- 
ers. One company, however (that of the writer's), was 
armed with Colt's revolving rifles. These had been se- 
cured, some weeks before, while the company was on spe- 
cial duty at Upton, Ky., by requisition on Louisville, ac- 
companied by considerable diplomacy, etc. — the "etc " to 
be literally translated, and not given too liberal a construc- 
tion. I say the company was armed with this formidable 
weapon. Perhaps it were better to say loaded. The horse 
certainly was loaded when the trooper mounted with this 



— 5 — 

instrument slung on his back, clanking saber at his side, 
and pistol in holster. It was cruelty to add the canteen 
and haversack ! But in those days we had no "S. P. C. A." 

About three o'clock in the afternoon of March 8th 
the Colonel came to our company headquarters and said 
he wanted the company to mount and go in pursuit of a 
body of rebel cavalry said to be in the neighborhood. 
Just as the order was issued an Orderly from Mitchell's 
headquarters rode up excitedly and reported that John 
Morgan had captured the regimental wagon-train, on its 
way out to camp with supplies, burned the wagons and 
taken off teamsters, horses, and mules. And this only one 
mile from camp — almost under our noses ! Our Colonel's 
blood was up in an instant, and in stentorian voice he 
shouted, "Company C, turn out with your rifles! " This 
" with your rifles'' had a flavor of business about it, and 
the response was not only quick, but nearly unanimous. 
Evidentl}^ there was to be "music in the air," and there 
was an anxiety to have the rifles come in at the right mo- 
mnet with the Bass. Four other companies were ordered 
out. Then came the command, "Company C, forward 
with the rifles ! " and we dashed forward up the pike toward 
Nashville. The report received was not a "grape-vine." 
Something near two miles from camp, in the middle of the 
pike, were the ruins of our wagon-train — some wagons 
still burning and some already in ashes. The teamsters 
and animals were gone and no signs of friend or foe. 

As afterward learned, the attacking party were Lieut. - 
Col, Wood with a body of Mississippi cavalry and John 
Morgan's command. They had first quietly taken in the 
pickets and then made a dash, from the woods, on the 
train, capturing, with the teamsters, Capt. Braiden. an Aide 
of Gen. Dumont's. Gen. Mitchell himself barely escaped 
capture, having ridden along the pike about the same time. 
A halt was called and the road examined to ascertain which 
way the enemy had gone. The trace was found leading 
east through the woods. One Compan^^ was sent back to 



get re-enforcements, and, with them, to strike into the tim- 
ber from the regimental camp to try and intercept the 
raiders. The original party, headed by Col. Kennett, 
dashed into the woods, and then occm-red a chase the par- 
allel to which has seldom been seen. " Forward ! " was the 
word, and forward it was. The woods became a thicket, 
sometimes apparently impassable ; but the horses, spurred 
by their riders, dashed at headlong speed through the trees, 
through the underbrush, under branches — thorns scratch- 
ing the face and hands, projecting limbs tearing clothes and 
bruising bodies. Down hill and up hill, through marsh 
and bog, over logs and across streams, leaping obstacles, 
shouting, yelling, screaming, and hurrahing, away we 
went — mud and leaves flying and dead limbs crushing be- 
neath horses' feet. Now the trail is lost and there is a 
halt to look for footprints. How much of a start the raid- 
ers have can not be known, but the trail must be fresh. 
Soon it is found and the horses gallop on as full of spirit 
as their wildly excited riders. When the tracks disappear 
in the forest leaves, the rebel course is now marked by 
plunder lost or cast aside — overcoats, canteens, saddles, 
blankets, the woods are full of them. Now and then an 
abandoned horse is seen. Finally, we strike a narrow 
pike, follow it a mile or so and learn that Morgan and 
Wood have divided their force, only the smaller part hav- 
ing taken the course we are pursuing. We were after 
Morgan and the main body, so turned back. It was pre- 
cious time lost but the trail was again struck, where they 
had crossed the pike, and once more a plunge was made 
into the timber and cedars. 

For miles the trees were so thick, and the foliage so 
dense, that it became impossible to ride other than single 
file ; but, i-etarded as was our speed, the chase became 
hotter and more exciting than ever. The Yankee blood of 
the hunters was at fever heat and they determined to run 
the game to cover. The sight of an abando-ned horse (and 
the hard-pressed enemy was now leaving his own as well 



— 7 — 

as our animals) was the signal for a yell that the pursued 
might have heard and trembled at miles away. Then 
spurs were clapped into horses' flanks to urge them still 
faster on ; and thus the column — if column that could be 
called which column was none — swept, dashed, plunged 
onward. Occasionally a trooper was dismounted by a 
projecting limb, and as he clambered out of the way, the 
sympathetic cry was wafted back from some comrade, 
"Say, what infantry r'lghnenf does you'ns belong. to?" 

Now the Colonel's voice rings shrilly through the for- 
est with the same old talismanic " forward ! " The refrain 
is taken up, sent back along the column until the rear- 
most rider hears and shouts a returning echo, " We are 
coming, father Abraham ! " No cowardice there. No lag- 
ging behind from choice. Every man was straining nerve 
and muscle to get ahead. We were fast gaining on the 
enemy and they knew it, trembling at every shout wafted to 
their ears. They grew desperate, dug the rowels into their 
horses, cursed their prisoners, threatened them, shot at 
them to make them keep up, and wounded one poor fellow 
to the death. These facts were gleaned afterward. 

We had gained rapidly and thought them almost 
within grasp. But "the best laid plans of mice and men, 
etc., etc." Desperation nerved them and they flew down 
the pike, scattering the stones behind. But we ran 
them into the net prepared. The detachment that had 
gone out later from camp struck the pike opportunely and 
received the enemy warmly as we drove him into their 
arms. A brisk engagement followed, partly hand to hand. 
The fight was soon over, the enemy being routed, scat- 
tered and driven in every direction. At the onset Mor- 
gan, with his staff and a lot of blooded horses, broke away 
and escaped across Stone river. Our command being 
united and ready to move an inventory of affairs and 
effects was taken. The enemy left four dead on the field, 
four sound captives in our hands and two wounded. Of 
the ninety-four horses taken we recaptured seventy-five ; 



— 8 — 

of the forty-eight teamsters, thirty-one, and also Capt. 
Braiden. A number of rebels were wounded, but not 
seriously, and escaped. One of the two wounded prison- 
ers — Warfield by name — was related to one of the most 
prominent and wealthy families of Cincinnati. The other 
was a Mississippian, by the name of Love. The writer 
visited the two in the regimental hospital that night. Love 
had a terrible wound, and knew it was mortal, but his last 
breath was expended in cursing and execrating the "Yan- 
kees" in the most horrible and vile language tongue could 
utter. 

The chase being over, the command returned — all ex- 
cept the Company with the rifles, who were to continue the 
pursuit. Pushing on again we struck the Murfreesboro 
pike, near Lavergne, and got on the heels of one detach- 
ment, but these, knowing the country, broke for the cedars 
and escaped. We saw no more of them and returned to 
camp at 8 p. m., after a ride of about thirty miles, part of 
this on a keen run. 

About a month after the incidents just related, the 
Fourth Ohio Cavalry had the honor of capturing Hunts- 
ville, Ala., the " Qiieen City of the Mountains." About 
the middle of March, 1862, Gen. Mitchell's Division of 
Buell's army left Nashville and pushed south to Mur- 
freesboro, thence to Shelbyville, following the rebel John- 
ston, who had destroyed all bridges behind him. From 
Shelbyville a rapid advance was made to Fayetteville, then 
a hot-bed of Secession. Turchin's Brigade, with Simon- 
son's Battery and the Fourth Ohio Cavalry, had the van. 
The Fourth broke camp early that morning, April 9th, at 
the loyal town of Shelbyville, with a three o'clock reveille 
and timely "Boots and Saddles." Passing by the infantr}' 
and Simonson's guns, the regiment rode briskly on to 
Fayetteville, through the town, over the stone bridge at 
Elk river, and camped on the same spot where Gen. Jack- 
son had camped fifty years before, in 181 2, a spot con- 
venient, pleasant, and historic. News of the victory at 



Corinth reached us on the loth, and there was enthusiastic 
joy and J03'ful enthusiasm ' throughout the camp. The 
command set out at once for Huntsville, the cavahy lead- 
ing. Our route lay along a circuitous dirt road and 
through a mountainous countr}-. Twelve miles brought us 
to the State line, marked by a high pole bearing the tat- 
tered remnants of a rebel flag. 

Now we are in Alabama. The plantations stretch out 
in beautiful landscape and, as the innumerable negroes 
grin at us from every field and fence, we are forcibl}' re- 
minded that we are " in the land of cotton." Halting at 
sundown to feed and await the remainder of the division, 
the cavalry again moved on rapidly and went into bivouac 
at lo p. M. At two in the morning a detail of picked men 
was made to ride across the country and tear up the 
track on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad leading east 
from Huntsville. Pickets were also thrown out to inter- 
cept all travel to and from the town. At four o'clock on 
the morning of April nth the artillery and cavalry were 
in motion for Huntsville, eight miles away. Nearing 
town the battery galloped on to the front, the Fourth Ohio 
following close. It was a matter of all importance that 
the place should be reached before any trains should leave ; 
and when, two miles oft', the whistle of a locomotive 
sounded on our ears, every thing was excitement and 
every horse put to its speed. Such a clatter never before 
awoke the echoes among those Alabama hills. Yonder 
curls the smoke and here comes the engine with but a 
single car, steaming eastward across the plain. Simonson 
wheels a gun, lets fly a solid shot, and the engine slackens 
speed, hesitates (as if to ask the meaning of all this), and 
pufls quickly on. A shell speeds after it but fails in its 
intent. However, the train can not escape altogether if 
our railroad wreckers have safely reached their trysting- 
place. The locomotive may be ditched and lost to us for 
service, but will hardly carry the news lo Leadbetter, at 
Bridgeport, that the Yankees have come. 



— lO — 

Company A has orders and in an instant a dozen troopers 
have dismounted, thrown down the stake-and-rider fence, 
and away goes the company across the plain in hot pur- 
suit — horse-flesh vieing with steam ! But the iron-Hmbed 
courser had the best bottom and whirled along amid a 
shower of bullets — escaping for the time, but only to 
become prey to the detachment up the road. Another 
whistle sounds and another train comes in sight. Simon- 
son's bull dog again barks — again ineffectually. A re- 
peated effort is more successful, and a shell crashes 
through the cab. The cavalry compau}' is on hand this 
time, and bang ! bang ! crack ! crack ! go the carbines and 
revolvers and the balls whistle about the engineer's head 
and rattle against the cars. The train stops and the pas- 
sengers, rebel soldiers and otHcers, leap to the ground and 
endeavor to escape. A few succeed, but the majority are 
taken. The train is boarded and brought back. Mean- 
while the column dashes onward and goes whirling into 
Huntsville. At the station is another train just leaving, 
with troops who are going "on to Richmond." A cocked 
pistol held at the engineer's head has the effect of shutting 
off" steam and the train is placed under guard. The regi- 
ment gallops up the street and through the town. Pickets 
are thrown out on all the roads. 

Black faces were at every door and window ; blacks 
were at the gates, and blacks were on the streets ; but the 
"Chivalry" had evidently deserted the place, except the 
few who viciously peered at us through the blinds, robed 
in white. Perhaps it was too early for zuhitc folks^ and our 
call was untimely on that bright April morning — the clock 
had not yet struck six — and perhaps they were too high 
toned to suffer Yankees to look upon their faces. After 
reconnoitering the streets and gathering in a few wearers 
of the gray the regiment was apportioned to various 
duties. 

Another train had just pulled in, all unconscious of 
the reception awaiting. This, too, was filled with soldiery 



II 



from below, bound for Richmond — four officers and i8o 
privates. At one of the hotels a Major and three Captains 
were taken, and others at other points in town. The full 
result of the early morning's work was 800 prisoners, 17 
locomotives and a large number of cars. The locomo- 
tives themselves were of incalculable vakie, and more than 
paid for the expedition if there had been no other fruits ; 
for they enabled Gen. Mitchell to push his troops rapidly 
in every direction and hurry forward supplies. Without 
them many of the results which soon followed could not 
have been accomplished. 

P^rom the Sheriff the keys of the jail were demanded 
and a large number of prisoners, loyal Tennesseans most- 
ly, were liberated. Some of these at once enlisted in the 
Union army. Huntsville was ours "and fairly won," 
without a casualty on our side or loss of any kind. * * * 

In August, 1864, the army constituting " The MiHtary 
Division of the Mississippi," commanded by Gen. Sher- 
man, lay in front of Atlanta. The effort to flank Hood out 
of his position had not been successful and Gen. Sher- 
man announced a new plan of operations. In the new 
deal Gen. Thomas was assigned to the left, Schotield given 
the right, and Howard the center. Of the Cavalry, Gen. 
Garrard commanded the Second Division and Gen. Kil- 
patrick the Third. A raid of tbrmidable proportions was 
projected on the Macon railroad, and Kilpatrick was to 
engineer this. Gen. Sherman had said, in a message to 
Thomas, Aug. i6th, " I do think our cavalry should now 
break the Macon road good." This raid of Kilpatrick's, 
though not as full in fruition as was hoped, was of great 
importance and is the subject of the following chapter. 
It was an undertaking brilliant in conception, thrilling in 
its experience, and deserving of historical record. Of the 
2d Cavalry Division one Brigade was absent. The ist 
and 2d Brigades traveled all night the lyih of August to 
Sand Town, where Kilpatrick was with the 3d Division. 
On the morning of the i8th the following circular was 
published. 



— 12 

"Headquarters Cavalry Expedition, 

Dep't Cumberland, 

Sand Town, Ga., Aug. i8, '64. 

Soldiers ! You have been selected from the Cavalry Divisions of 
the Army of the Cumberland ; you have been well organized, equipped, 
and rendred formidable, at great expense, to accomplish an object vital 
to the success of our cause. I am about to lead you, not on a raid, but 
on a deliberate and well combined attack upon the enemy's communi- 
cations, in order that he may be unable to supply his army in Atlanta. 
Two expeditions have already failed. We are the last Cavalry hope of 
the army. Let each soldier remember this and resolve to accomplish 
this, the great object for which so much is risked, or die trying! 

(Signed.) J. KILPATRICK, 

Brig. -Gen. Commanding." 

At dark the two divisions (really, they were only ^ arts 
of two divisions) moved southward. The expedition was 
designed to be a secret one, and there were no bugle blasts 
to awaken the echoes of the still night — bugle blasts that 
so thrill through the trooper's blood and nerve him for the 
mount, the march, or the fray. 

The 3d Division had the advance, and with it was the 
loth Wisconsin Batter}' of four pieces. The 2d had two 
sections of the " Chicago Board of Trade Battery." Qiii- 
etly as all had been planned, the movement was already 
known in the rebel camp and our advance encountered an 
impeding force early in the march. These fell back as we 
advanced but continued harassing and delaying the col- 
umn, and skirmishing was kept up all night, a bright 
moon rendering some aid to both sides. 

Friday morning, the 19th, the 2d Division struck the 
Atlantic & West Point Railroad. Men from the advance 
division were already at work tearing up the track, and 
one regiment — the ist Ohio — was detailed from the 2d 
Division to assist. A mile of track was soon destroyed. 
Meanwhile, the rear of the moving column (Minty's Brig- 
ade) was attacked by "a force from the woods on the left 
with musketry and artillery. The fighting soon became 
heavy. The ist Ohio was ordered up to Minty's relief. 



— 13 — 

and a systematic attack made with good results, the enemy 
retiring from sight. The march was resumed, but the 
enemy again showed himself, and, selecting a good posi- 
tion on the flank, opened up a lively salvo of artillery, 
playing his pieces well. Shells screamed through the air 
over the moving column, and the 3d and 4th Ohio suffered 
seriously. Considerable time was consumed in brushing 
oft^ this force, whose evident aim was to harass and not 
fight, but they were finally routed. From prisoners taken 
we learned that Ross' Cavalry Brigade was our principal 
opponent. 

A detachment of 400 men was now sent forward to 
Griffin to destro}^ the track there. The 2d Brigade of the 
2d Division was ordered forward and, on the Jonesboro 
road, struck the enemy. Skirmishing continued nearly all 
day, the enemy falling back slowly and showing a dispo- 
sition to impede our progress as much as possible. At 
Flint river a strong force was in position on the further 
bank and at the town of Jonesboro. Pressing them with 
energy and our artillery playing lively airs they were 
driven from their works, and we advanced across the 
bridge which they had attempted to burn. Moving into and 
through the town the depot was fired and the track de- 
stroyed. 

The command now took a brief rest, having eaten 
nothing all day and not having slept for over twenty-four 
hours. Marching again at 11, the 2d Division passed 
south and reached the McDonogh road at daylight. At 
Pittsburgh again turned south toward the railroad. The 
first few miles developed nothing of interest, but, finally, 
during a temporary halt, the rear guard was attacked and 
the ist Ohio sent back to its support. The enemy devel- 
oped considerable strength and the 3d and 4th Ohio were 
hurried to the scene. A sharp engagement, but brief, fol- 
lowed ; the opposing force was routed and the column 
again moved on — moved on to encounter something of a 
foe more determined and with better staying qualities. 



— 14 — 

Minty led, and, striking the Macon road near Lovejoy's 
Station, he dismounted the 4th Michigan to tear up the track. 
Hardly had operations commenced when the regiment was 
suddenly and impetuously attacked in front and driven 
back. Simultaneously an attack was made in force on the 
right flank, which was met by the yth Pennsylvania. A 
detachment from Long's Brigade was dismounted and sent 
forward at double quick. The skirmish line was being 
gradually forced back and a strong line of infantry was 
developed coming out of the woods. This proved to be 
Cleburne's Division. Long's entire brigade (the 2d) was 
now dismounted and deployed on the right, while a line of 
breast-works was thrown up in the rear. The firing be- 
came heavy on both sides. In front the enem}^ was reso- 
lutely held for awhile and our men then fell back to the 
works, whence a fire was opened that staggered the ad- 
vancing lines and threw them into some confusion. This 
enabled Lieut. Bennett, of the battery, to bring off his 
two pieces which were near being lost. In this affair we 
had several killed and wounded : of the latter two officers 
of the 4th Ohio. 

It was now apparent that not only was there a formid- 
able force of cavalry in the rear, but a large body ot 
infantry, with cavalry and cannon, in front. The dis- 
mounted regiments fell back and remounted under severe 
musketry. Kilpatrick called a hurried council of the brig- 
ade commanders. The foe was not only in front and rear 
but our flanks were being enveloped. There was but one 
advisable course — to make a quick, vigorous, desperate 
charge, break their lines, and cut our wa}^ out. The 
decision was prompt. The force behind was evidently 
the weaker and was, therefore, chosen for the attcick. 

The two brigades of the 2d Division were formed in 
two ranks, stretching across a great corn-field, while the 
3d Division formed behind them. Sabers were drawn 
and, at the bugle signal, all galloped tbrward. The Confed- 
erates saw the movement and tried valiantly to stem the 



— 15 — 

onset. Shells screamed overhead and grape and canister 
rattled like hail. Their smaller arms, too, played briskly. 
It was a scene of wild and fierce excitement. Owing to 
the irregular nature of the ground, after leaving the corn- 
field no regular alignment was possible, and it soon be- 
came a charge of squadrons, companies, squads, and 
single riders. Bullets whistled and comrades fell, but the 
command spurred on to increased speed — shouted, yelled 
and still dashed on. Over fences and gullies, and then a 
wide ravine ; through brush and dense timber, whose 
gnarled and low-hanging branches literally tore men from 
their saddles ; across a great marsh where horses almost 
swamped — onward the resistless force rushes and strikes 
the enemy full}' and fairly. Sabers flash in the air, pistols 
and carbines belch forth sulphur smoke. The unexpected 
movement, the sudden and impetuous charge, as of victo- 
rious ranks rather than desperate battalions essaying a 
forlorn hope, had amazed the confronting foe ; the fierce 
onset shattered his lines ; he resists stubbornly for a little 
while, then 'gives ground, turns to escape, and is routed 
completely. But, meanwhile, his fire on our flank had 
been sharp and we sufTered severely. On a knoll on the 
left were two guns belching out grape and canister. So 
galling was their fire that the charge was greatly retarded 
on that flank. These must be silenced, and a force 
dashes up the aclivity " into the very jaws of death." 
Every gunner is killed or captured. 

At such a time artillery was an awkward encumbrance, 
yet one piece was brought ofl' safely. Prisoners, too, were 
an encumbrance, and few were taken along. They were 
simply disarmed and left on the field where captured. 
Had ■ time and circumstance permitted the rebel battery 
could have been brought oft' as a trophy, and some hun- 
dreds of prisoners. Consternation had evidently seized 
the rebel ranks, for they threw down their arms by scores 
and begged for quarter. Our business was to cut through 
and get out, and this was done, though man}- a noble fel- 



— i6 — 

low was left behind. Among those who fell that day was 
Capt. Wm. H. Scott, an associate of the writer on Gen. 
Eli Long's staff' — not killed outright, but mortally wounded. 
"A braver spirit never laid its life upon its country's altar." 
He was struck b}' a grape shot and fell from his horse, but, 
in that mad ride — in the face of that deadly storm of lead 
and iron — it were death to halt even though a dear friend 
had fallen. 

The command was naturally much scattered and much 
time occupied in reforming for the march. This enabled 
Cleburne to close up on us. In the new formation Long's 
Brigade had the rear of column and the 3d Ohio the 
post of danger. This regiment was soon attacked and 
shells were thrown into our column. Gen. Long re- 
mained with the 3d to direct its movements. The position 
held by the regiment was a good one, being protected by 
rail breast-works (the men were afoot) and below a decliv- 
ity extending into a marsh ; beyond this a creek. As the 
rebels came across the creek they opened a vigorous lire, 
and, simultaneously, another line moved up at close quar- 
ters on the right. The 3d held its tire until the enemy 
reached the marsh, and then every carbine cracked. 
Just at this juncture Long's horse was struck (for he had 
remained mounted), and a moment after he himself re- 
ceived two wounds, through wrist and thigh, which com- 
pelled him to leave the field. The 3d Ohio fell slowly 
back, leaving the dead bodies of several of their comrades, 
including Lieut. Garfield. They were then relieved by a 
regiment from Minty's Brigade. The column being put in 
motion, moved on to McDonogh and thence to Cotton 
river, the enemy following and harassing until night-tall. 

Sunday morning, August 21st, we crossed Cotton 
river by swimming, the stream being much swollen. One 
trooper was drowned and a piece of artillery had to be 
abandoned. The enemy, continuing the pursuit, had 
pressed hard on the rear all morning, but a safe crossing- 
was finally effected and then South river was reached and 



— 17 ~ 

crossed. At this place a large mill was burned and the 
bridge destroyed. Thence the march was via Lithonia, 
Latimar's and Decatur to Buck Head, which place was 
reached on the evening of Monda}-, August 22d. 

Thus ended the famous " Kilpatrick Raid," an expe- 
dition wisely planned and full of " great expectations." 
That it did not produce the fruits hoped for was not the 
fault of any of '* our folks." Lay the blame at the door of 
the Confederacy. It accomplished much good and the 
Confederate loss was large. Statistics are not at hand 
from which to give our casualties in full, but Long's 
Brirrade lost seven officers and eightv-seven men in killed, 
wounded, and prisoners. The charge at Lovejoy's Station 
was one of the grandest, most extensive, and brilliant 
cavalry charges of the entire war. Kilpatrick, in his en- 
thusiasm, claimed that nothing equal to it had ever been 
witnessed. It certainly has few equals, and hence has 
been deemed worthy of elaborate review in these pages. 



